"Although the car carrying market at the moment might be somewhat weaker than we would like, we believe that the long term underlying growth potential for deep sea transportation of cars and high and heavy equipment is strong and positive," says Jan Eyvin Wang, president and CEO in WWASA. "We are therefore pleased to have come to an agreement with HHI to build two state of the art Post Panamax car carriers. The agreement also includes an option to build another two vessels."
"Whilst the new locks in the Panama canal can accomodate vessels up to 366 metres long, our vessels must be able to call all ports where we load and discharge cargo. The vessels will have a car carrying capacity equivalent to 7 930 CEUs, be 200 metres long and have a beam width of 36.7 metres, approximately 4.3 metres wider than today`s car carriers," says Wang.
When delivered in 2014 and 2015, the vessels will commence service for 50% owned Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.
"These vessels are specially designed to cater to the demands of the automotive, rolling equipment and manufacturing industries, with regard to both capacity and quality. An efficient design enabling optimum cargo handling, together with the latest environmental solutions will ensure that we continue to deliver first-class value to our customers," says Arild B Iversen, president and CEO in WWL.
Although the parties have agreed not to make comments on the price, Mr Wang says the financing of the vessels is soon to be finalised: "We have started to secured financing for the vessels, and expect to have committed offers in place by end June."